Although
experience at the CMTC has shown that at least half of USAREUR maneuver brigades
will routinely use MPs forward, this article focuses on MP support to the BSA.
Our specific intent is to set the conditions for mission success by providing
commanders, staff, and BSA tenants with answers to questions on MP doctrine
and capabilities.

The
Forward Support Battalion (FSB) commander must have a clear understanding of
the four basic MP missions on the battlefield.

FOUR
MP MISSIONS

1.
Battlefield Circulation Control (BCC)2.
Area Security (AS)3.
Enemy Prisoner of War (EPW) Operations4.
Law and Order (L&

(References:
FM 19-4 and FM 19-1)

(BCC)

On
main supply routes (MSRs), the MP security mission falls under the heading
of BCC. Military police get combat power forward.

(AS)

The
MP platoon offers a flexible resource to assist in the defeat of level II threats,
and delay and maintain contact with level III threats until the arrival of
the tactical combat force (TCF). MPs accomplish area security through aggressive
patrolling of the area of operations (AO). Area security missions also allow
for the safe movement of soldiers, equipment, and supplies in and around the
BSA.

(EPW)

An
MP platoon provides the brigade with a holding and supervisory capability for
EPWs, freeing capturing forces to resume their primary mission(s) as soon as
possible.

(L&O)

Law
enforcement operations within brigade boundaries is an on-order mission. Most
minor violations are within the commander's purview for disposition, and the
Criminal Investigation Command (CID) handles more serious offenses.

PREDEPLOYMENT
PLANNING

1.
To increase the efficient use of MP in the BSA, the MP platoon leader must
play an active role in the planning process. Planning by the S3 begins with
a frank conversation with the MP leaders to define priorities of effort: command,
control and communication (C3);
and a basic understanding of the MP MTO&E. This discussion should consider
MP capabilities to move, shoot and communicate and the most efficient manner
in which to maximize these resources in accordance with METT-T.

2.
An MP platoon provides a brigade with seven highly mobile, heavily armed MP
teams. Critical predeployment coordination should also define MP support requirements.
While the FSB provides support, MPs must quantify their support requirements
and appropriately forecast their needs through the FSB support operations office.
This is also the ideal time to resolve differences between FSB and MP SOPs,
and define the task organization.

3.
Generally, if the brigade conducts an offensive mission, the MP platoon can
best support the brigade by performing BCC and assisting in the movement of
critical personnel, supplies and equipment along the designated MSRs. The platoon
should also plan and coordinate with the FSB S-3 to receive EPWs captured during
offensive operations.

4.
During a defensive operation, MPs can best provide support while performing
area security missions. Through aggressive area patrolling and reconnaissance,
MPs provide the BSA with a highly mobile and efficient early warning asset
that allows the BSA tenants to focus on their primary support missions.

TASK
ORGANIZATION

Competing
requirements between the FSB and brigade define the task organization of MPs
within a maneuver brigade. Ultimately, the final decision for MP employment
rests with the brigade commander. Doctrinally, each heavy/mechanized brigade
has one MP platoon in direct support (DS) from a division MP company. This
21-soldier platoon has three squads with two, three-soldier teams in each squad.
The platoon leader/sergeant with a driver provide command, control and coordination
for the platoon. Usually, this platoon is collocated within or in close proximity
to the BSA.

Division
Military Police Platoon

LOCATION

MPs
locate in the BSA for two reasons:

1.
The BSA provides easy access to life support from the FSB. The geographic dispersion
of the platoon from the MP company makes the platoon dependent on the FSB for
all classes of supply and maintenance support.

2.
The BSA offers the first real holding area for EPWs. Collocating the MP platoon
within easy access to the supply and transportation assets available in the
BSA expedites the movement of EPWs during back-haul missions to the division
rear.

PRIORITIES

1.
Mission prioritization provides another key to successful employment of MP
assets. Although the platoon can conduct any of the missions outlined earlier,
the platoon is too small to effectively perform more than one mission at a
time. METT-T may necessitate a combination of two missions simultaneously for
a limited period of time; however, the platoon cannot sustain this surge capability
for extended periods.

2.
Frequently MPs are tasked to perform BCC (such as several concurrent convoy
escorts) and then expected to conduct a quick consolidated response to Level
II or III threats in the BSA. Dispersion of MP teams and the MP command and
control element often make this expectation unrealistic.

USE
BOS

One
technique for employing MP assets is to use applicable battlefield operating
systems (BOSs) as a guide in high- to mid-intensity threat environments (see
FM 25-101) and the principles of stability operations in peacekeeping or peace
enforcement operations (see FM 100-5 or FM 100-23). The following example outlines
use of MPs by BOS:

Intelligence

1.
MPs can greatly influence the success of the brigade's mission by being the
commander's eyes and ears in and around the BSA. While scouts provide the commander
with updated intelligence on the status of the battlefield, MPs are also ideal
for this mission. MPs provide information in SALUTE report format while conducting
daily reconnaissance and surveillance (R&S) patrols and BCC missions on MSRs
around the BSA. The intelligence gained from these patrols prepares the FSB
to defend itself from any enemy by providing real-world intelligence to the
FSB S2. This assistance is essential in the intelligence preparation of the
battlefield (IPB) process.

2.
Use MPs to observe NAIs, observe possible landing and drop zones (LZs/DZs),
and gain intelligence through interactions with the local populace. Timely
SPOT reports by MPs can prevent loss of life and influence the logistical plan
for the brigade. Conversely, updated intelligence from the S3 on the location
of friendly minefields and observation posts (OPs) in the BSA can prevent the
loss of MP assets to avoidable incidents.

Fire
Support (Close Air Support)

MPs
can provide the FSB commander with trained soldiers to call for, and adjust,
fire in the BSA. Although fire support is not always an available asset for
the BSA defense due to priorities of fires, Army and Air Force aviation assets
are options that MPs can use to defeat level II or level III threats.

Mobility/Countermobility/Survivability

Incorporate
MPs into movement and defense plans to ensure freedom of movement on MSRs and
increase soldier survivability. MPs conduct reconnaissance and aggressive MSR
patrolling to keep MSRs open and identify alternate routes. MPs provide escort
to critical support convoys and overwatch MSRs from key terrain to deny the
enemy any advantage. MPs also provide NBC detection, monitoring, and reporting
capability throughout the area of operations. The S3 should include this data
in TOC overlays, and update FSB personnel before allowing units on the MSR.

REHEARSALS

1.
After planning MP employment in accordance with BOS, execute mission rehearsals
to ensure mission accomplishment. Although initial coordination with all key
leaders may have established a good game plan, the need for continued coordination
and rehearsals remains paramount to success. Particularly, the movement of
MPs to counter level II/III threats requires numerous rehearsals (day and night
and MOPP IV) to prevent fratricide and ensure a coordinated response.

2.
The FSB S3 is the key person to conduct these rehearsals. The S3 must practice
providing the C3for
a coordinated base defense. Specific responsibilities must be clearly understood
by all soldiers. Each soldier remains responsible for providing for his own
defense to a level I threat. The FSB quick reaction force (QRF) is organized
to quickly move to reinforce any unit position within the BSA perimeter, and
MPs are organized to consolidate and respond to the threat outside the BSA
perimeter. Everyone must know linkup points, identification signals, and how
to talk to each other.

TENANTS'
MEETINGS

Daily
tenant meetings provide the MP platoon leader and the FSB S3 with another opportunity
to discuss updates and changes to the FSB defensive capability. These discussions
help prevent hazardous, unexpected encounters of friendly personnel during
operations of limited visibility due to fog, rain, snow or darkness.

Two
items that detract from BSA defense are assigning MP TOC security duty, and
assigning MPs a portion of the BSA perimeter. Assigning MPs a portion of the
perimeter guarantees that a portion of the MP response will be unable to provide
an external response to the threat.

THE
ONE DO

1.
DO
place
the MP platoon headquarters within the BSA.

Place
the MP platoon headquarters within the BSA and allow it to maneuver its teams
outside the perimeter for maximum support against hostile forces. Ideally,
MPs operate on a continuous basis and only return within the perimeter of the
BSA for rest, resupply, and mission or information updates. Make MPs a better
combat multiplier by allowing them to navigate throughout the area of operations.

SUMMARY

Realistically,
MP employment throughout the brigade area of operations will vary, depending
upon METT-T and the commander's intent. The techniques outlined in this article
provide commanders at brigade and FSB levels with a few tips to set the conditions
for MP mission success in support of their operations.